Featuring Women's History, Women Authors, Writing In General, And Author Interviews. Home of the Teresa Thomas Bohannon author of the Historical, Paranormal Romance, Shadows In A Timeless Myth, the Regency Romance Novel, A Very Merry Chase, and the illustrated version of Jane Austen's posthumously published Juvenilia, The Widow's Tale.

Now available...in an easy to read oversize, large print paperback version.

Was Happy to Participate In The 2011

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

October 24 - 31, 2011

I am providing two gifts just to thank everyone for stopping by plus the opportunity to win a personalized PDF copy of my sweet, old-fashioned Regency Romance Novel, A Very Merry Chase for one lucky commenter.

Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa
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It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Today I am happy to welcome historical novelist Anna Patricio author of ASENATH. To commemorate the occasion, I have prepared a complimentary musical jigsaw puzzle of her book cover for your enjoyment. In addition, Anna will be awarding a Smashwords' certificate good for one complimentary copy of ASENATH, to one lucky commentator.

A. I am Anna Patricio, a debut novelist of historical fiction. I have been an ancient history lover since my teens, and pursued formal studies in it at Macquarie University, Australia. I love Egypt, Israel, Greece and Rome; and I hope to learn more about the Ancient Near East in the future. I recently travelled to Lower Egypt (specifically Cairo and the Sinai), Israel and Jordan. I definitely plan to return to Egypt and see more of it in the future, as my time there was way too short.

Q. Tell us about your novel, ASENATH.

A. ASENATH is a fictional memoir of the little-known wife of Joseph of
the multicoloured coat fame. I have always been an enthusiast of the
Joseph story and recently, I realised that next to nothing is known
about the woman he married. All the Book of Genesis tells us about her
is that she was the daughter of a priest of On (more famously known as
Heliopolis). When I looked up Asenath, I found practically nothing
about her. My curiosity about her then paved the way for imagination.

Q. What was it about historical fiction that captured your fancy?

A. I suppose it is because first and foremost, I am an ancient history
lover. Secondly, when writing historical fiction, I get to explore a
world different from the one I live in. I have a bit of a wanderlust,
I guess, so I really appreciate this. If I wrote contemporary fiction,
I would be limited to the same old environment.
Not that there is anything wrong with contemporary settings - who
knows, I may try it sometime in the future. But for now, I have no
intention to leave historical fiction. Especially Egyptian fiction.

Q. Do you have an all-time favorite historical novel, and what
elements make it your favorite?

A. I love MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA by Arthur Golden. I love the depths of
passion and emotion conveyed in this novel, especially the heroine's
long-suffering love for her love interest. I like especially the
analogies Golden uses to convey complex emotions - this is a
remarkable feat. And this has been said many times before, but I will
say it again: it's hard to believe a man wrote this book!
I also like the novels of Wilbur Smith and Pauline Gedge who, in my
opinion, are the tops in Egyptian fiction. I love how they bring
Ancient Egypt to life, and I also like the way they develop their
characters. It's very believable, and something everyone can relate
to. Not to mention that these 2 authors have managed to "humanise" the
Ancient Egyptians - portray them as real people. Usually, they are
portrayed as larger than life.

Q. How do you research your novels?

A. Well, I have a degree in ancient history, so this has been made
tons easier, less overwhelming. Not to mention that I have already
read much about Joseph prior to writing my novel - I read midrash
stories, Jewish folktales, and even some episodes from the Koran.
So when the time came to research on ASENATH, I looked at my
notes/syllabi and also headed to the library of my alma mater.

On Writing:

Q. Is there anything you absolutely must have in order to write?

A. Absolute, cemetery-like silence. I can't write when there's a lot
of noise around. I tried writing with classical music, but even that
was distracting. So yes, I need total silence.

Q. What is the most difficult part of writing for you?

A. Overcoming writers' block, I guess. Sometimes, I want to write but
can't, for some reason. Eventually, it becomes clear that I won't be
able to write for the day.
But more difficult than that was searching for publication. At times,
I got really disheartened. But then, I landed a contract with Imajin
Books. It took me nearly a year, but it was worth it.

Q. What's a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write?

A. It's very spontaneous, I have no specific routine. At the moment, I
am doing some promotion for my novel, so I haven't written in a while.
But when I do write, it is normally at night. I work better in the
evening, for some reason. I can't concentrate during the daytime,
although that is when I cook up ideas.
And I suppose I can write anywhere, as long as it is in a quiet place.
I tried writing in an airport, but it didn't work.

Q. Tell us a little bit about your life online and the sites you maintain.

A. "Sometimes, the only way to get through adversity is to imagine
what our lives might be like if out dreams came true." -Arthur Golden,
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

Q. Where is your favorite place to read?

A. In my room at night, before going to sleep.

Q. What is your favorite non ancient history novel and author, and why?

A. I suppose JANE EYRE, which is in the Classics genre? Like MEMOIRS
OF A GEISHA, this is a story of a woman who overcomes adversity and
finds happiness in the end. I love those sorts of stories.
(MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA and JANE EYRE, by the way, were inspirations for ASENATH.)

Q. If you were a supernatural or mythological entity, what, or who,
would you be, and why?

A. A faery - or any creature with wings. I would really love to fly!

Q. If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you
desperately want with you, and why?

A. My iPod, because I can't live without music; my furry blanket, as
that could definitely come in handy; and a super thick novel to keep
my brain cells from stagnating.

Please take a moment to comment before leaving as one random winner will receive a Smashwords coupon good for an e-copy of Asenath, and remember to download your complimentary musical jigsaw puzzle of the cover of Asenath.
Smiles & Good Reading,
Teresa
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It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Saturday, October 8, 2011

In 1869, after Sir Thomas and Lady Brassey had been nine years married, they determined to take a sea-voyage in his yacht, and between this time and 1872 they made two cruises in the Mediterranean and the East. From her childhood Lady Brassey had kept a journal, and from fine powers of observation and much general knowledge was well fitted to see whatever was to be seen, and describe it graphically. She wrote long, journal-like letters to her father, and on her returnThe Flight of the Meteorwas prepared for distribution among relatives and intimate friends.

In the year last mentioned, 1872, they took a trip to Canada and the United States, sailing up several of the long rivers, and on her return,A Cruise in the Eothen was published for friends. In 1876 the couple decided to go round the world, and for this purpose the beautiful yachtSunbeamwas built. The children, the animal pets, two dogs, three birds, and a Persian kitten for the baby, were all taken, and the happy family left England July 1, 1876. With the crew, the whole number of persons on board was forty-three. Almost at the beginning of the voyage they encountered a severe storm. Captain Lecky would have been lost but for the presence of mind of Mabelle Brassey, the oldest daughter, who has her mother's courage and calmness. When asked if she thought she was going overboard, she answered, "I did not think at all, mamma, but felt sure we were gone."

"Soon after this adventure," says Lady Brassey, "we all went to bed, full of thanksgiving that it had ended as well as it did; but, alas, not, so far as I was concerned, to rest in peace. In about two hours I was awakened by a tremendous weight of water suddenly descending upon me and flooding the bed. I immediately sprang out, only to find myself in another pool on the floor. It was pitch dark, and I could not think what had happened; so I rushed on deck, and found that the weather having moderated a little, some kind sailor, knowing my love of fresh air, had opened the skylight rather too soon, and one of the angry waves had popped on board, deluging the cabin.

"I got a light, and proceeded to mop up, as best I could, and then endeavored to find a dry place to sleep in. This, however, was no easy task, for my own bed was drenched, and every other berth occupied. The deck, too, was ankle-deep in water, as I found when I tried to get across to the deck-house sofa. At last I lay down on the floor, wrapped in my ulster, and wedged between the foot stanchion of our swing bed and the wardrobe athwart-ship; so that as the yacht rolled heavily, my feet were often higher than my head."

No wonder that a woman who could make the best of such circumstances could make a year's trip on theSunbeama delight to all on board. Their first visits were to the Madeira, Teneriffe, and Cape de Verde Islands, off the coast of Africa. With simplicity, the charm of all writing, and naturalness, Lady Brassey describes the people, the bathing where the sharks were plentiful, and the masses of wild geranium, hydrangea, and fuchsia. They climb to the top of the lava Peak of Teneriffe, over twelve thousand feet high; they rise at five o'clock to see the beautiful sunrises; they watch the slaves at coffee-raising at Rio de Janeiro, in South America, and Lady Brassey is attracted toward the nineteen tiny babies by the side of their mothers; "the youngest, a dear, little woolly-headed thing, as black as jet, and only three weeks old."

In Belgrano, she says: "We saw for the first time the holes of the bizcachas, or prairie-dogs, outside which the little prairie-owls keep guard. There appeared to be always one, and generally two, of these birds, standing like sentinels, at the entrance to each hole, with their wise-looking heads on one side, pictures of prudence and watchfulness. The bird and the beast are great friends, and are seldom to be found apart." And then Lady Brassey, who understands photography as well as how to write several languages, photographs this pretty scene of prairie-dogs guarded by owls, and puts it in her book.

On their way to the Straits of Magellan, they see a ship on fire. They send out a boat to her, and bring in the suffering crew of fifteen men, almost wild with joy to be rescued. Their cargo of coal had been on fire for four days. The men were exhausted, the fires beneath their feet were constantly growing hotter, and finally they gave up in despair and lay down to die. But the captain said, "There is One above who looks after us all," and again they took courage. They lashed the two apprentice boys in one of the little boats, for fear they would be washed overboard, for one was the "only son of his mother, and she a widow."

"The captain," says Lady Brassey, "drowned his favorite dog, a splendid Newfoundland, just before leaving the ship; for although a capital watchdog and very faithful, he was rather large and fierce; and when it was known that theSunbeamwas a yacht with ladies and children on board, he feared to introduce him. Poor fellow! I wish I had known about it in time to save his life!"

They "steamed past the low sandy coast of Patagonia and the rugged mountains of Tierra del Fuego, literally, Land of Fire, so called from the custom the inhabitants have of lighting fires on prominent points as signals of assembly." The people are cannibals, and naked. "Their food is of the most meagre description, and consists mainly of shell-fish, sea-eggs, for which the women dive with much dexterity, and fish, which they train their dogs to assist them in catching. These dogs are sent into the water at the entrance of a narrow creek or small bay, and they then bark and flounder about and drive the fish before them into shallow water, where they are caught."

Three of these Fuegians, a man, woman, and lad, come out to the yacht in a craft made of planks rudely tied together with the sinews of animals, and give otter skins for "tobáco and galléta" (biscuit), for which they call. When Lady Brassey gives the lad and his mother some strings of blue, red, and green glass beads, they laugh and jabber most enthusiastically. Their paddles are "split branches of trees, with wider pieces tied on at one end, with the sinews of birds or beasts." At the various places where they land, all go armed, Lady Brassey herself being well skilled in their use.

She never forgets to do a kindness. In Chili she hears that a poor engine-driver, an Englishman, has met with a serious accident, and at once hastens to see him. He is delighted to hear about the trip of theSunbeam, and forgets for a time his intense suffering in his joy at seeing her.

In Santiago she describes a visit to the ruin of the Jesuit church, where, Dec. 8, 1863, at the Feast of the Virgin, two thousand persons, mostly women and children, were burned to death. A few were drawn up through a hole in the roof and thus saved.

Their visit to the South Sea Islands is full of interest. At Bow Island Lady Brassey buys two tame pigs for twenty-five cents each, which are so docile that they follow her about the yacht with the dogs, to whom they took a decided fancy. She calls one Agag, because he walks so delicately on his toes. The native women break cocoanuts and offer them the milk to drink. At Maitea the natives are puzzled to know why the island is visited. "No sell brandy?" they ask. "No." "No stealy men?" "No." "No do what then?" The chief receives most courteously, cutting down a banana-tree for them, when they express a wish for bananas. He would receive no money for his presents to them.

In Tahiti a feast is given in their honor, in a house seemingly made of banana-trees, "the floor covered with the finest mats, and the centre strewn with broad green plantain leaves, to form the table-cloth.... Before each guest was placed a half-cocoanut full of salt water, another full of chopped cocoanut, a third full of fresh water, and another full of milk, two pieces of bamboo, a basket of poi, half a breadfruit, and a platter of green leaves, the latter being changed with each course. We took our seats on the ground round the green table. The first operation was to mix the salt water and the chopped cocoanut together, so as to make an appetizing sauce, into which we were supposed to dip each morsel we ate. We were tolerably successful in the use of our fingers as substitutes for knives and forks."

At the Sandwich Islands, in Hilo, they visit the volcano of Kilauea. They descend the precipice, three hundred feet, which forms the wall of the old crater. They ascend the present crater, and stand on the "edge of a precipice, overhanging a lake of molten fire, a hundred feet below us, and nearly a mile across. Dashing against the cliffs on the opposite side, with a noise like the roar of a stormy ocean, waves of blood-red, fiery liquid lava hurled their billows upon an iron-bound headland, and then rushed up the face of the cliffs to toss their gory spray high in the air."

They pass the island of Molokai, where the poor lepers end their days away from home and kindred. At Honolulu they are entertained by the Prince, and then sail for Japan, China, Ceylon, through Suez, stopping in Egypt, and then home. On their arrival, Lady Brassey says, "How can I describe the warm greetings that met us everywhere, or the crowd that surrounded us; how, along the whole ten miles from Hastings to Battle, people were standing by the roadside and at the cottage doors to welcome us; how the Battle bell-ringers never stopped ringing except during service time; or how the warmest of welcomes ended our delightful year of travel and made us feel we were home at last, with thankful hearts for the providential care which had watched over us whithersoever we roamed!"

The trip had been one of continued ovation. Crowds had gathered in every place to see theSunbeam, and often trim her with flowers from stem to stern. Presents of parrots, and kittens, and pigs abounded, and Lady Brassey had cared tenderly for them all. Christmas was observed on ship-board with gifts for everybody; thoughtfulness and kindness had made the trip a delight to the crew as well as the passengers.

The letters sent home from theSunbeamwere so thoroughly enjoyed by her father and friends, that they prevailed upon her to publish a book, which she did in 1878. It was found to be as full of interest to the world as it had been to the intimate friends, and it passed rapidly through four editions. An abridged edition appeared in the following year; then the call for it was so great that an edition was prepared for reading in schools, in 1880, and finally, in 1881, a twelve-cent edition, that the poor as well as the rich might have an opportunity of reading this fascinating book,Around the World in the Yacht Sunbeam. And now Lady Brassey found herself not only the accomplished and benevolent wife of a member of Parliament, but a famous author as well.

This year, July, 1881, the King of the Sandwich Islands, who had been greatly pleased with her description of his kingdom, was entertained at Normanhurst Castle, and invested Lady Brassey with the Order of Kapiolani.

Compiled From Sources In The Public Domain.

Smiles & Good Fortune,
Teresa

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It is not wealth one asks for, but just enough to preserve one’s dignity, to work unhampered, to be generous, frank and independent. W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) Of Human Bondage, 1915

Hello and Welcome

I love women's history, but even more, I love women's historical fiction. Why? A favorite quote of mine about history in general and Women's History in particular, from perhaps the world's most famous Woman Author, sums it all up perfectly.

"I read it a little as a duty, but it tells me nothing that does not either vex or weary me. The quarrels of popes and kings, with wars or pestilences, in every page; the men all so good for nothing, and hardly any women at all—it is very tiresome: and yet I often think it odd that it should be so dull, for a great deal of it must be invention. The speeches that are put into the heroes' mouths, their thoughts and designs— the chief of all this must be invention, and invention is what delights me in other books."Catherine Morland in Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen.

Thank you for visiting,Teresa Thomas BohannonAuthor of A Very Merry ChaseAnd Shadows In A Timeless MythAvailable for Kindle, Nook & now...also in Large Print Paperback.PS: The links on this page that lead to pages (usually on Amazon) where purchases can be made, are affiliate links which help to support this blog.

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About Me

Teresa Thomas Bohannon is a published author, web designer, hosting & domain provider & (occasional) internet marketing consultant. Teresa founded Spun Silk Web Design in December of 1995 as one of the first free standing female owned web design firms in the country.
As of late, Teresa has returned to her roots, utilizing the exciting new world of online publishing to present a backlog of original novels and short stories to the world--beginning with A Very Merry Chase--a Regency romance novel which she originally wrote some 35 years ago. :) In late 2011 she published Shadows In A Timeless Myth a Paranormal Historical Fantasy/Romance/Horror Novel.
Teresa holds an MA in history--with a haphazardly obtained--concentration in women's studies. In addition, she is the Director of Human Resources for a non-profit agency.
Teresa's personal cause is revitalizing literacy by reading "with" children.